What Exactly Is Acupuncture?

What Exactly Is Acupuncture?
By Jerry Hall

Acupuncture originated in China more than 2,000 years ago,
making it one of the oldest and most commonly used medical
procedures in the world.

Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical
procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 2,000
years ago, began to become better known in the
United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston
wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his pain
after surgery. The technique that has been most
studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin,
solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by
electrical stimulation.

The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy
run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface.
These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing
through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An
obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam
that backs up in others.

The meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture
points; the needles unblock the obstructions at the
dams, and reestablish the regular flow through the meridians.
Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal
organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and
energy production activities, and in the circulation of their
energy through the meridians.

Acupuncture needles are metallic, solid, and hair-thin. People
experience differently, but most feel no or minimal
pain as the needles are inserted. Some people are energized by
treatment, while others feel relaxed. Improper needle placement,
movement of the patient, or a defect in the needle can cause
soreness and pain during treatment.

This is why it is important
to seek treatment from a qualified practitioner.

According to the NIH Consensus Statement on Acupuncture, there
have been many studies on acupuncture's potential usefulness,
but results have been mixed because of complexities with study
design and size, as well as difficulties with choosing and using
placebos or sham acupuncture. However, promising results have
emerged, showing efficacy of acupuncture, for example, in adult
postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in
postoperative dental pain.

There are other situations--such as addiction, stroke
rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow,
fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low-back pain,
carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma--in which may be
useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or
be included in a comprehensive management program. An
NCCAM-funded study recently showed that provides
pain relief, improves function for people with osteoarthritis of
the knee, and serves as an effective complement to standard
care.

The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by
acupuncture results in stimulating the body's natural healing
abilities, and in promoting physical and emotional well-being.

About the Author: originated in China more than
2,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest and most commonly
used medical procedures in the world. Does it Really Work? Find
out at http://AcupuncturePoint.smartreviewguide.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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